Production Officer

Job Summary: Under the guidance of the Project Manager, the Production Officer will be responsible for providing technical leadership on livelihoods; economic strengthening activities and food security in the Sub Program area. The Officer will lead activities to create livelihoods opportunities for project participants and build capacity of local structures to provide economic strengthening services. S/he ensures the Sub Program’s objectives and results are fully accomplished, documented and meet expected technical quality standards, in relation to the LWF Uganda standards and principles following established LWF Uganda procedures and guidelines

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Responsibility 1: Contribute towards development of strategic, tactical and operational programme plans; ensure commitment of all stakeholders and accomplishment of LWF’s objectives.

Tasks:

Develop detailed work plans and budgets as tasked by the Project Manager in order to deliver aspects of the strategic plan

Provide guidance to the implementation teams with regard to Production development activities focusing on food and economic security

Providing technical advice and support to teams in the planning, implementation and monitoring of production and economic strengthening strategies

Ensuring the alignment of production and economic security plans with local government plans and with LWF Uganda’s strategy and objectives.

Organizing and facilitating stakeholders’ workshops in order to enable participative planning and provide input into planning processes

Contribute to the development and operationalization of the Sustainable Production strategy and interventions within an integrated country program strategy.

Identify and network with key stakeholders in the project areas in order to build synergies for enhancing the effectiveness of LWF Production interventions.

Organizing and /or participating in stakeholders’ coordination meetings in order to harmonize activities with others. Participate actively in the Production Working Groups and other coordination forums

Support the identification of strategic interventions for food security for project participants.

Support the identification of proper inputs for agriculture based on the target people, the needs and agro-ecological factors of the target area.

Organize meetings for partners and collaborating agencies to jointly plan, monitor and review project activities in the area of livelihoods and economic security on a periodical basis.

Support and monitor activities in the areas of Production and Economic security and ensure that effective M&E tools and mechanisms are established to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the operations.

Participate in learning and national events targeting the broader Natural Resources, women and youth empowerment programs.

Responsibility 2: Take lead in project initiatives to establish a pro-poor sustainable system of business development services that is community based.

Tasks:

Coordinate capacity building of Business Development Service (BDS) providers and partners to deliver high quality agricultural and business development services

Coordinate market assessment studies to give a clear idea of the market and segments and provide insights into market-oriented enterprise development

Design and support business mentorship and coaching for women, men, and youth to ensure enhanced survival and performance of enterprises.

Coordinate facilitation of community groups to assess value of their resources against market requirements to determine viable businesses and partnership options.

Coordinate design and delivery of enterprise trainings to provide knowledge, and skills to maximize returns through value addition and assuming as many functions in the market chain of selected enterprises

Coordinate formation and development of enterprise-based marketing associations and guide them to network with relevant organs and authorities to enhance awareness and compliance with policies and regulations governing associations.

Support development of market information systems that will benefit communities in the project area

Support teams and partners in the identification of training needs for the communities and the neighboring communities involved in VSLA/self-help groups

Monitor and supervise delivery of quality VSLA/self-help group services in accordance with methodology.

Responsibility 3: Sector-level Administration and Human Resources Management

Tasks:

Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal basis with all staff and as a part of the annual Performance Review and Planning
Process.

Identify capacity gaps amongst the team under his/her supervision and key partners and come up with a staff development plan to address the gaps.

As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources Department to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Regulatory Policy.

Overall responsibility for staff timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities.

Provide advisory support to the Procurement committee to ensure efficient use of project resources.

Personality Competences:

Teamwork – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.

Planning & Organizing – Strong organizational skills including proven ability to plan and coordinate own work as well as that of others, and to work under tight deadlines; identifies priority activities and assignments and adjust priorities based on exigency

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Land Use and Management or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

Minimum 4 years’ experience working in livelihoods or income generating projects.

Post graduate in project planning and management is an advantage.

A keen understanding of business and rural development issues including farmer field school approaches with skills or training in rural economy is crucial to this position;

Proper understanding of Agro forestry initiatives in rural communities

Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple tasks while working as part of a team, good planning and organizational skills coupled with problem solving capabilities, hands-on community mobilization skills, a strong self-starter with ability to take initiative are highly desirable for this position;